Together, Turning Loss into Action

About COS Reads

COS Reads is a nonprofit organization initially established to support the Save Rockrimmon Library campaign. We are dedicated to keeping all neighborhood libraries open and thriving. COS Reads advocates for equal library access, vibrant community spaces, and systemic reforms across the Pikes Peak Library District.

COS Reads & Save Rockrimmon Library

Save Rockrimmon Library is a dedicated community action group made up of citizens from El Paso County, Colorado. This grassroots movement has brought to light significant concerns about PPLD’s data transparency, budget priorities, and the future of public library access, as the PPLD Board warns of potential additional library closures.

The campaign has evolved to include COS Reads, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. COS Reads serves as the parent organization, providing a platform for current and future campaigns, such as Save Rockrimmon Library. While the Save Rockrimmon Library campaign remains focused on advocating for the Northwest Colorado Springs community, COS Reads is committed to broader goals, including creating vibrant community spaces, maintaining access to library resources, and ensuring accountability and transparency within PPLD.

After the closure of Rockrimmon Library, COS Reads was established to continue the fight for transparency, accountability, and equitable access to public libraries. The mission of COS Reads is to advocate for systemic reforms, mobilize volunteers and resources, and work toward establishing a thriving community center that serves as a hub for connection and learning.

Thank you for your continued support as we transition into this exciting new chapter, amplifying our impact and advocating for library access and community connections across the region!

Cheyenne Mountain Library and Ruth Holley Library

Rockrimmon’s lease expired on December 31, 2024. Communications sent to PPLD leadership asking for a commitment to renew the lease were sent out in October 2023 with no response. Although the Facilities Master Plan suggested that Rockrimmon, Ruth Holley, and Cheyenne Mountain Libraries could be closed to provide a cost benefit, our community was reassured that closures wouldn’t be discussed until 2025. Rockrimmon Library was included in the proposed 2025 budget. Imagine our surprise when we were ambushed by the October 2024 vote of the PPLD BoT not to renew our lease. Please learn from our mistakes. Cheyenne Mountain’s lease is up in August 2026 (they share the same landlord as the Rockrimmon Library did). Ruth Holley’s lease is up in 2028. Start asking questions now!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any other questions or concerns, please e-mail us.

What is COS Reads?

COS Reads is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as the parent organization for grassroots campaigns like Save Rockrimmon Library. Born out of the efforts to preserve the Rockrimmon Library, COS Reads is dedicated to advocating for community spaces and equitable library access, both in Northwest Colorado Springs and beyond.

Our mission is twofold:

(1) Short-Term Goals: Establishing an interim community library to serve as a gathering space, offer traditional library services, and maintain a sense of community connection while advocating for systemic change within the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD).

(2) Long-Term Goals: Promoting greater transparency, accountability, and oversight within PPLD, including advocating for a balanced and skilled Board of Trustees. Our ultimate goal is to support systemic reforms and work toward the reopening of a library in Northwest Colorado Springs.

COS Reads provides a platform for current and future campaigns, ensuring our efforts can adapt and grow to meet community needs. Through volunteer mobilization, donations, and legal action, we are building a stronger, more connected community while ensuring public libraries remain accessible for everyone.

What will the interim community library look like?

The interim community library will serve as a gathering space for Northwest Colorado Springs residents, providing traditional library services and fostering community connection. Our goal is to create a volunteer-led space where patrons can access books, participate in educational and social programs, and host community meetings.

This interim library will also preserve the spirit of Rockrimmon Library while we continue to advocate for long-term solutions. Specific features will depend on available resources, but our vision includes:

• A lending library with a curated selection of books for all ages.

• Dedicated areas for children, students, and seniors.

• A community meeting room for local groups and events.

• Programs and workshops led by volunteers and local experts.

Stay tuned for updates as we finalize our plans and work toward making this vision a reality!

Update: Our library is a reality now! Please visit us at 950 Vindicator Dr. in person or on our website at readingattherocks.org

How can I support COS Reads?

Your support is essential to achieving our goals. Here’s how you can help:

1. Donate: Every dollar helps! Contributions support our interim community library, legal efforts, and long-term advocacy for systemic reforms at PPLD. Donate by check or online—visit saverockrimmonlibrary.com for details.

2. Volunteer: We need passionate community members to help with everything from organizing events to distributing flyers. Let us know how you’d like to get involved!

3. Spread the Word: Share our story with friends, family, and neighbors. Encourage them to join our email list and follow us on social media for updates.

4. Advocate: Contact city officials and PPLD leadership to express your support for library access and accountability. Personalized letters and emails make a big impact.

5. Attend Meetings: Show up at public meetings to demonstrate our community’s commitment to libraries and community spaces.

Together, we can create a stronger, more connected community. Thank you for standing with COS Reads!

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Yes! COS Reads is an approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our Tax ID (EIN) is 33-2257385. A receipt will be emailed or mailed to you for your records. Thank you for supporting our mission to create a stronger, more connected community!

Facts

The decision to close Rockrimmon Library lacks a solid foundation. Our analysis of PPLD’s budget, data, and stakeholder processes reveals significant flaws in their reasoning. From Rockrimmon’s high usage efficiency and cost-effectiveness to the lack of community engagement and inadequate alternatives for patrons, the data and process simply don’t support this closure. Below, we’ve outlined the key talking points, data, and sources that demonstrate why this decision doesn’t make sense and how it threatens equitable access and vital community services.

Key Talking Points

1. Data Does Not Support Closure: Save Rockrimmon Library has researched the PPLD’s budget documents and Master Facilities Plan and found that the PPLD’s data does not justify closing the Rockrimmon Library. Based on PPLD’s Master Facilities Plan, Rockrimmon Library has the 2nd highest circulation and 2nd highest usage efficiency out of all 15 PPLD libraries. This independent review of PPLD’s data shows the library’s overall cost and usage are not a reason for closure, but rather for expansion.

2. Inadequate Stakeholder Process: Until the October 16th vote, PPLD staff repeatedly assured the Northwest Colorado Springs community that Rockrimmon Library was not in danger of closing. The Board of Trustees misled City Council members, community leaders, and patrons, stating no closures would be considered until 2025. There were no Northwest community meetings to discuss either the PPLD Master Facilities Plan or the impending closure. While this group has reached out to the Board, the Board refuses to engage in a productive dialogue.

3. Unjust Financial Priorities: Rockrimmon Library is one of the most cost-efficient PPLD libraries. It operates at a lower cost per citizen than many other facilities. The area contributes approximately $1.2 million annually in PPLD mill levy taxes, but the Rockrimmon Library costs approximately half as much to operate each year.

4. Community Hub at Risk: This library is essential for Northwest Colorado Springs. It serves as a gathering space for community meetings, senior programs, student resources, and more. There are no other community centers in the Northwest area. The city funds four community centers in other areas of the city, paying an average of $707,000 each ($2.8 million total) every year. If the PPLD Board of Trustees does not fund this library, it is in the city’s best interest to keep this community center open.

5. Concerns Over Equitable Access: Other PPLD libraries cannot absorb Rockrimmon's patron base without causing significant inconvenience. Many residents specifically moved to the area for easy library access, and many patrons, including seniors and youth, rely on Rockrimmon Library for its accessibility. There is no bus service to this area, meaning residents without cars will lose access to libraries.

6. Call Upon City Council for Accountability: On November 19, the group called upon the City Council without success to hold the PPLD Board accountable and to ensure all other budgetary solutions are fully explored before libraries are closed. Closing libraries is not a sign of a healthy community and should be the last option considered.

Key Documents

- - PPLD Annual Reports

- - PPLD Bylaws

- - PPLD Establishment Doc

- - PPLD Facilities Master Plan

- - CO Library Law

- - CO State Library

- - CO Yearly Stats

Financial Facts

• PPLD Financial Analysis

• How much does the Rockrimmon Area pay in taxes to PPLD?

Average Home value in the 80919 zip code. $500,000

Residential access value rate. 6.765%

Assessed the value of the home. $33,825 ( $500,000 x .06765)

Mill levy. 3.061 mills

Library Property Tax: $103.54 ($33,825 x 3.061/1,000).

There are roughly 12,485 households in the 80919 zip code area.

This means that our area pays roughly 1.3 million in library district taxes.

Use & Efficiency Facts

• Analysis based on 2024 Facilities Master Plan shows Rockrimmon is one of the most cost-efficient Libraries in the PPLD System.

• Rockrimmon Library had the 4th highest circulation of the 15 libraries in 2022 (even higher than Penrose’s circulation), and 2nd highest circulation of the 12 Community Libraries. (Highlighted chart here.)

Source: (1) Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, PPLD, Year ending December 31, 2022, Exhibit I-19, page 151. Downloaded 11/2/2024, https://ppld.org/sites/default/files/about/cafr2022.pdf.

• Rockrimmon Library has the 2nd highest usage efficiency (weighted activities per open hour per square foot) of all 15 PPLD Libraries. (Highlighted chart here.)

Source: Facilities Master Plan, Pikes Peak Library District, Final Submittal, 10/20/2024, HB&A-ReThinking Libraries-Farnsworth Group, page 30. Downloaded from https://ppld.org/sites/default/files/bot/2024_Facilities_Master_Plan.pdf, 11/2/2024.

• 10-year deferred maintenance costs estimates by independent consultants for the 3 largest PPLD facilities exceed $15M. (Highlighted chart here.)

Source: Facilities Master Plan, Pikes Peak Library District, Final Submittal, 10/20/2024, HB&A-ReThinking Libraries-Farnsworth Group, page 39, downloaded 11/2/2024, https://ppld.org/sites/default/files/bot/2024_Facilities_Master_Plan.pdf

• Rockrimmon is the 4th most cost-efficient of all the libraries (budgeted operational cost per circulated item, 2022 data), and the 3rd most cost-efficient of all libraries with deferred maintenance costs. (Highlighted chart here.)

Sources: (1) : Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Pikes Peak Library District, Year ending December 31, 2022, Exhibit I-19, page 151. Downloaded 11/2/2024, https://ppld.org/sites/default/files/about/cafr2022.pdf, (2) Budget data from PIKES PEAK LIBRARY DISTRICT 2022 BUDGET PROPOSAL, https://ppld.org/sites/default/files/bot/2022%20BUDGET%20BOOK%2010142021%20vVersion%2011%20%20-Final%20Preliminary.pdf, pages 96 (North), 83 (Southeast), 72 (West), page 108 Facilities. (3) Facilities Master Plan, Pikes Peak Library District, Final Submittal, 10/20/2024, HB&A-ReThinking Libraries-Farnsworth Group, page 30. Downloaded 11/2/2024, https://ppld.org/sites/default/files/bot/2024_Facilities_Master_Plan.pdf, and https://ppld.org/sites/default/files/about/cafr2023.pdf

Facility Facts

• Page 61 of the 2024 Facilities Master Plan includes details related to Rockrimmon Library. (Page screenshot here.)

• “Busyness index” is comparing metrics other than how many people use the library. This needs to be redone. Based on efficiency numbers in the Rockrimmon Library Use and Efficiency Facts, Rockrimmon Library is a highly utilized library.

• Under Library Services Overview, Key Programmatic Issues are all small issues:

- - ADA entrance means a button needs to be added. Entrance is already level and wide enough, and accessible parking is much closer than in other libraries.

- - There is a break area for staff.

- - According to page 30 of the PPLD 2024 Adopted Budget, flooding remediation cost $17,433 during the wettest June on record.

- - Parking is not an issue.

- - Space too small for usage is a reason to expand, not close.

• Under Library Services Overview, Key Condition Issues are all small issues.

- - Lifecycle: Replacing restroom fixtures – everything works now, and this is a minor expense.

- - Deficiency: Minor drywall repair and carpet replacement are nothing compared to structural issues at other libraries.

- - Maintenance: Rockrimmon Library has the 12th highest (5th lowest) 10-year maintenance projection out of 16 facilities.

• Program Site Findings do not support closure.

- - Retaining wall flooding was not included in the Facility Condition Assessment because it isn’t a real issue of concern. Flooding occurred during the wettest month ever in Colorado Springs (June 2023) and does not represent a major recurring issue. According to page 30 of the PPLD 2024 Adopted Budget, flooding remediation costs $17,433. This is insignificant when taken in the context of the larger budget.

Source (rainfall): https://www.weather.gov/pub/climate2023JuneReviewJulyPreview#:~:text=The%209.62%20inches%20recorded%20in,inches%20of%20rain%20was%20recorded.

Source (flood mediation cost).

- - Highest operational cost per square foot is extremely misleading. Rockrimmon is the 3rd most cost-efficient and has the 2nd highest usage efficiency based on the Facilities Master Plan, which will be shown in a later presentation.

- - Other libraries are neither nearby nor easily accessible.